King Seeley Thermos Fireball XL5 lunchbox

The King Seeley Thermos Fireball XL5 lunchbox is a collectible vintage lunchbox based on the 1960s science fiction puppet show ‘Fireball XL5’.

Background

‘Fireball XL5’ is a British science fiction puppet series produced by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson in 1962. It followed the adventures of Colonel Steve Zodiac of the World Space Patrol and he travelled the galaxy alongside his love interest Doctor Venus and co-pilot Robert the Robot. It originally aired in the U.K from 1962 until 1963, lasting 39 episodes.

The show was the only Anderson production to be shown on network television in the U.S, although their other shows such as Thunderbirds and Stingray were shown in syndication across the country. It appeared on NBC from 1963 until 1965, in the children’s Saturday morning slot.

There were countless products produced relating to the show, ranging from toys] and models to comic books, puppets, colouring books, board games and a lunch box produced by King Seeley Thermos in 1964 to tie in with its appearance on U.S television.

The King Seeley Thermos Fireball XL5 lunchbox

The lunchbox has a yellow border and a red handle, and was sold complete with a thermos flask featuring wraparound graphics and a red cup/lid.

The graphics on the front of the box depict Colonel Steve Zodiac and Doctor Venus stood on a platform, whilst the rocket Fireball XL5 launches vertically behind them. The back of the box features the two characters in close-up in the bottom left hand corner, against a backdrop of XL5 launching diagonally from a track within Space City. Both the font and reverse of the box also feature the show’s name in large red lettering along the top.

The sides show scenes from World Space Patrol’s Space City base, along with the characters Professor Matic and Robert the Robot. The flask features the same image as the front of the box.

How much is a King Seeley Thermos Fireball XL5 lunchbox worth?

The boxes are relatively rare and sought after, with examples in top condition fetching over $120 on sites like eBay. Good used-condition boxes can sell for between $50 - $100 depending on their level of wear and tear.